The Georgia State Panthers and Memphis Tigers will square off on the turf at Liberty Bowl Memorial. ESPN has the TV rights and kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
Georgia State Panthers vs. Memphis Tigers Betting Preview
Memphis is the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 25 points to Georgia State. The over/under for this matchup has not yet been released. If one school catches a lucky break early on, it’ll probably produce a worthwhile live betting opportunity.
The game’s opening line was -23, but it has since shifted.
The Panthers have recorded 1.0 unit so far and are 1-1 against the spread (ATS). The team has recorded an Over-Under mark of 0-1. The Tigers have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 2.7 units. The team is 1-1 ATS and also has an O/U record of 0-1.
The Panthers have gone 1-1 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Tigers are also 1-1 SU.
The Panthers are reeling from a 41-7 loss to North Carolina State last week. The Panthers defense allowed the Wolfpack to pass for 426 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 115 yards and three scores. On the offensive side of the ball, the Panthers completed 19-of-34 passes for 242 yards. Dan Ellington went 15-for-28 for 194 yards while Aaron Winchester completed four-of-six for 48 yards. Ellington (30 rushing yards on 10 attempts) also led the ground attack. Devin Gentry (five receptions, 83 yards) and Penny Hart (three catches, 53 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Memphis narrowly dropped a 22-21 game to Navy. Brady White completed 15-of-25 passes for 145 yards and one interception. Darrell Henderson (212 rushing yards on 13 attempts, three TDs) mounted the running game as Damonte Coxie (five receptions, 38 yards) and Pop Williams (four catches, 42 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Each of these teams sports a strikingly similar (53-47) run-pass ratio on the season. The Panthers have run for 118 yards/game and have just a single score on the ground this year. The Tigers are averaging 279 rushing yards per game and have six total rush TDs.
It appears that the Tigers should hold an edge when it comes to efficiency in the ground game. Their backfield has logged 7.8 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 3.3 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Panthers have registered 3.4 yards per carry while allowing 3.6 YPC to opponents.
The Panthers offensive scheme has averaged 215 yards through the air overall and has three passing TD so far. The Tigers have put up 287 pass yards per contest and have five total pass scores.
Georgia State has allowed opponents to run for an average of 148 yards and pass for 314 yards per game. The Memphis D has allowed 83.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 162.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Tigers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 2.47 to opponents, while the Panthers have given up a whopping 10.10 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Ellington is up to 194 yards this year. He’s completed 54 percent of his 28 attempts with zero passing scores and has yet to throw an interception. He’s got a 5.90 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.56 over the last two games.
We expect Ellington to spread the ball around early and often in this one. Devin Gentry (53 receiving yards), Dan Ellington (0 yards) and Penny Hart (53 yards) have all been heavily involved recently.
In the home locker room, Brady White has managed to complete 15-of-25 passes for 145 yards, zero TDs and one INT. White’s ANY/A sits at a terrible 3.58 for the season and 10.20 over his past two games.
We’re expecting the Tigers to control tempo by feeding their running backs early and often. Damonte Coxie (38 receiving yards) has stepped up lately, but Darrell Henderson (212 rush yards, three rush TDs, 18 receiving yards) and Patrick Taylor Jr. (28 rush yards, eight receiving yards) have really been key factors in the Memphis offense.
Free Pick: Georgia State Panthers vs. Memphis Tigers
SU Winner – Memphis, ATS Winner – Georgia State
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Notes
Betting Notes
The Panthers offense has recorded one pass play of 40 or more yards, while the Tigers have accounted for four such plays.
The Georgia State defense has allowed two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Memphis has given up zero such plays.
The Georgia State offense has created one rushing play of 20+ yards, while Memphis has created six such runs.
The Panthers defense has allowed one rushing play of 20+ yards, while the Tigers have given up three such runs.
The Memphis defense has created five sacks on the year while Georgia State has one.
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